Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Nine Books on the Nature of Things
A fresh translation from the early Latin text with annotations and study apparatus
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Facing Pages · Branch 239 of 642
Book 5 · Death · Passage 24
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 222–223
Latin
Mortificatio marcasitarum, cachymiarum, talci, Kobalti, zinzi, granatorum, zwitter, wismut, antimonii est sublimatio, hoc est, ut cum sale & vitriolo sublimentur, tum vita ipsorum, quae est spiritus metallicus una cum spiritu salis ascendit. Quicquid autem in fundo sublimatorii remanet, lavetur, ut resolvatur ab eo sal, & habebis terram mortuam, in qua nihil est virtutis.
English
The mortification of marcasites, cachymiae, talc, cobalt, zinz, garnets, zwitter, wismut and antimony is sublimation: sublime them with salt and vitriol, and their life, the metallic spirit, rises together with the spirit of salt. Wash whatever remains at the bottom of the sublimatory so that its salt dissolves away. You will have dead earth in which no virtue remains.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 5 · Death · Book 5 · Death · Passage 24
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the historical title, dedication and all nine books, with 363 separately labelled historical marginal notes, 117 modern annotations and the complete Diotimos study apparatus. The transmitted composite work is traditionally attributed to Paracelsus; individual authorship remains qualified.
Historical Text and Translation
The normalized Latin follows the complete 1605 Frankfurt Palthenian witness, volume six, printed pages 198–271, in SUB Göttingen PPN578052199, historical scans 182–255. Earlier textual tradition is German; the individual translator of the 1605 Latin text is not identified. The dedication’s 1537 date is transmitted text, not an established date for the composite work.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin text is in the public domain. The fresh English translation and editorial material were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.